Calcium Alginate‐Indian Palo (<i>Curcuma angustifolia</i> Roxb.) Rhizome Starch Microparticles for Sustained Drug Release

ABSTRACT In the current work, aceclofenac‐encapsulated calcium alginate‐Indian palo rhizome starch microparticles were prepared via the ionotropic cross‐linking gelation process and evaluated (in vitro). These aceclofenac‐encapsulated calcium alginate‐Indian palo rhizome starch microparticles showed aceclofenac loading of 16.77 ± 1.08% to 18.88 ± 1.28%, aceclofenac encapsulation efficiency of 83.40 ± 2.56% to 92.27 ± 4.03%, and average particle size of 187.28 ± 9.58 to 252.54 ± 12.66 µm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform‐infra red (FTIR), and powder x‐ray diffraction (P‐XRD) analyses were carried out to characterize these aceclofenac‐encapsulated calcium alginate‐Indian palo rhizome starch microparticles. All these microparticles presented a controlled‐sustained aceclofenac release pattern and pH‐responsive swelling performances, in vitro. Thus, the usefulness of Indian palo rhizome starch was proved as a potential sustained‐release polymeric material, which can be processed with sodium alginate in the preparation of sustained drug‐releasing microparticles for oral administration.